The Chronicle is reporting that the Astros have locked in Brandon Backe to a one year $1.55 million deal, with a reported $1 million in incentives. Backe was one of Wade's sink or swim guys for Spring Training and I'm glad to see that we're not going to pay him much for that effort. There is no word on how the incentives are structured, but I imagine that it involves a lot IP clauses.
Byrdak's one year/$1 million contract seems a little excessive for the lefty-only specialist, but we've thrown that kind of change around a myriad of parts like that all off season while avoiding spending anything of significance on anything of significance. C'est la vie.
The Astros failed to reach an accord with Geary and Wandy and have filed their arbitration numbers. I'm very interested to see the results of this cases. Perhaps some savings can free up the pay roll necessary to bring back Wigginton, who is currently being shunned by the market.
0 recs | 10 comments
They're PAYING Backe?
He should pay them to let him be on the team.
entropic soul - January 20, 2009
That is probably a true statement
But as Drayton would have us remember, it’s the union’s fault.
Stephen Higdon - January 20, 2009
Byrdak signed later in the day for $ 1 million.
That is what the linked article now says. Backe is doubling his current salary, which seems quite generous, given the season he experienced. However, I suppose at this stage of his team control status, prior season performance is not weighted as much as we might suppose.
Geary and Wandy should be due for decent sized raises.
clack - January 20, 2009
Updated
Good catch.
Stephen Higdon - January 20, 2009
These numbers are coming in higher than I expected
But it’s still not adding up to $107m.
The article was updated to include the arbitration numbers submitted for Wandy and Geary:
Wandy bids $3m, team bids $2.25m (a $1.8m raise over last year)
Geary bids $2.1m, team bids $1.425m (a $300k raise over last year)
AstroAndy - January 20, 2009
Wandy deserves his $3m
Geary.. eh.. i dunno.. $2.1m is a bit high
entropic soul - January 20, 2009
No way does he deserve $2 million
He’s coming of surgery.
Stephen Higdon - January 20, 2009
Geary had surgery?
clack - January 21, 2009
Hip flexor surgery I believe
Or maybe groin. I’ll google it later.
Stephen Higdon - January 21, 2009
Thanks...I googled it.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-10-02-1078133887_x.htm
Geary had surgery for hip adductor and torn abdominal muscle. Expected to recover in 4 to 6 weeks. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that the arbitration process takes into account off-season surgery. The good thing is that it isn’t arm surgery (unlike Sampson’s). However, I am always a little concerned about muscle surgeries in those areas, because of some examples of players in the majors who continued to have problems with muscle pulls. Not that I know much about the medical prognosis or anything.
clack - January 21, 2009
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